The Health Ministry confirms receiving a report that a Fijian died on board a chartered international flight from India last Tuesday.

Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says they’re currently gathering all the information as to what transpired and an investigation is underway.

Dr Waqainabete confirms that COVID-19 is not the cause of death.

“The patient was having medical attention overseas and coming back. He suffered a consequence of the disease the person had. So that person is also not COVID-19 and does not pose any risk. So there’s no risk to the community at large.”

There are chances that the late Fijian was on the same flight as the latest COVID-19 patient.

It is believed the man passed away after experiencing breathing problems midway through the flight from New Delhi.